Tomas Machac retired injured for the second time in two days at the Davis Cup Finals.
The Czech star played just nine points in his clash with Australia’s Alexei Popyrin before calling for a medical timeout and ultimately retiring.
The match lasted just six minutes in total as Australia stormed into a 2-0 lead over the Czech Republic.
Machac had retired from his match against Carlos Alcaraz on Wednesday afternoon with the score at 6-7 (3), 6-1, with many in the stands raising their eyebrows at the decision given that the 23-year-old appeared to be suffering from cramp.
However, the injury seems far more deeply rooted, with the Czech star entering the court to face Popyrin with plenty of bandages around his right calf.
Machac never looked comfortable from the offset and after going 30-15 down in the second game, after Poyprin had held his serve in the first, he ruled that he was not fit to continue and trudged off the court for the second time in as many days.
Speaking after the match about the problems his opponent was struggling with, Popyrin said: “We saw him last night, and he didn’t look too good last night, so we wish him a speedy recovery and hopefully he’s back on tour quickly.”
Alcaraz also sent his best wishes to the world No. 35 after Machac retired from their match on Wednesday. He said: “I think he played more matches in the American swing. He played tough matches during New York, and then coming here to different conditions, different everything…it’s difficult to get used to it.
“I think after a really tough and difficult first set, I knew I had to stay positive and play long rallies. I pushed him to the limit; obviously, I don’t want to get through that way, but I’m really happy to give the point to Spain.”
Alcaraz will be hoping to lead his nation to success in the competition on home soil, though Canada, Australia and Germany remain unbeaten in the group stages and will also be eyeing victory.
It remains to be seen how the Czech team respond to Machac’s injury given that they left him in their team to compete on Thursday morning, with Jiri Lehecka being removed amid speculation that he is unwell.
